Clevis hanger assembly and pipe insulation coupling

ABSTRACT

A clevis hanger assembly supports a pipe insulation coupling member along a support structure. The clevis hanger assembly includes an upper bracket adapted to be secured to the support structure. The upper bracket includes a base extending between spaced apart downwardly extending flanges. The clevis hanger assembly also includes a lower bracket having spaced apart upwardly extending flanges disposed alongside the spaced apart downwardly extending flanges. The lower bracket includes an arcuate segment extending between the spaced apart upwardly extending flanges and defines coupling slots for receiving the pipe insulation coupling member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to a clevis hanger assembly for supportinga pipe along a support structure. More particularly, the inventionrelates to a clevis hanger assembly coupled with a pipe insulationcoupling member to support a pipe, which is encased by pipe insulationtubing, along a support structure.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] Conventional pipes are used to convey or transfer fluids invarious industrial applications, such as sprinkler systems and heatingand cooling systems. These pipes are typically encased in a cellularfoam insulation tubing, which maintains the fluids within the pipes at adesired temperature. The pipe insulation tubing is commonly provided inpredetermined lengths that are aligned end-to-end to cover an entirelength of the pipe. It is desirable to interconnect adjacent ends of thepipe insulation tubing along the pipe to increase insulation efficiencyof the pipe. The adjacent ends of the pipe insulation tubing may beinterconnected by tape, adhesive, or straps. These means forinterconnection are, however, susceptible to wear and tear over time. Asan alternative, various pipe insulation coupling members have beenintroduced to provide a secure and long lasting end-to-end attachment ofadjacent pipe insulation tubing along the pipe.

[0005] In a typical application, the insulated pipe, that is, the pipeencased by the pipe insulation tubing, is disposed along a supportstructure, such as a ceiling. The insulated pipe is commonly supportedalong the support structure by a plurality of spaced apart clevishangers. Each clevis hanger typically includes an upper member mountedto the support structure, and a generally U-shaped lower member forsupporting the insulated pipe. The shape of the U-shaped lower membercomplements that of an outer periphery of an insulated pipe, therebyallowing the U-shaped lower member to retain the insulated pipetherealong.

[0006] It remains, however, desirable to provide a clevis hangerassembly that includes a coupling provision for securely supporting apipe insulation coupling member therealong, whereby the pipe insulationcoupling member maintains adjacent ends of pipe insulation tubing in anend-to-end relationship along a pipe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] According to one aspect of the invention, a clevis hangerassembly supports a pipe insulation coupling member along a supportstructure. The clevis hanger assembly includes an upper bracket adaptedto be secured to the support structure. The upper bracket includes abase extending between spaced apart downwardly extending flanges. Theclevis hanger assembly also includes a lower bracket having spaced apartupwardly extending flanges disposed alongside the spaced apartdownwardly extending flanges. The lower bracket includes an arcuatesegment extending between the spaced apart upwardly extending flanges.The lower bracket also defines coupling slots for receiving andretaining the pipe insulation coupling member between the spaced apartupwardly extending flanges.

[0008] According to another aspect of the invention, a pipe insulationcoupling member retains adjacent ends of elongated pipe insulationtubing around a pipe. The pipe insulation coupling member includes anelongated body extending along a longitudinal axis between a first endand a second end. The elongated body includes an outer tube wallextending between the first and second ends. A planar interior wall islocated within the outer tube wall and positioned transverse to thelongitudinal axis. The planar interior wall includes a center bore forreceiving the pipe therethrough and defines opposing first and secondouter channels for receiving the adjacent ends of the elongated pipeinsulation tubing.

[0009] According to yet another aspect of the invention, a pipe supportassembly secures a pipe and adjacent ends of pipe insulation tubingsurrounding the pipe to a support structure. The pipe support assemblyincludes a clevis hanger assembly adapted to be secured to the supportstructure. The clevis hanger assembly includes an upper bracket having abase extending between spaced apart downwardly extending flanges. Theclevis hanger assembly also includes a lower bracket including anarcuate segment extending between the spaced apart upwardly extendingflanges, which are disposed alongside the spaced apart downwardlyextending flanges. The lower bracket includes coupling slots formedtherealong. The pipe support assembly also includes a pipe insulationcoupling member for retaining the adjacent ends of the pipe insulationtubing around the pipe. The pipe insulation coupling member is disposedinside of the spaced apart downwardly and upwardly extending flanges andhas an elongated body including a longitudinally extending arcuate outertube wall. The outer tube wall includes outwardly protruding tabstherealong that are received within the coupling slots to retain andsupport the pipe insulation coupling member along the lower bracket ofthe clevis hanger assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Advantages of the invention will be readily appreciated as thesame becomes better understood by reference to the following detaileddescription when considered in connection with the accompanying drawingswherein:

[0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pipe support assembly accordingto the invention including a clevis hanger assembly coupled with a pipeinsulation coupling member, which supports adjacent ends of pipeinsulation tubing along a pipe;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the clevis hanger assembly;

[0013]FIG. 3 is a front view of the clevis hanger assembly;

[0014]FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the clevis hanger assembly;

[0015]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the pipe insulation couplingmember;

[0016]FIG. 6 is a front view of the pipe insulation coupling memberhaving separable wedge sections;

[0017]FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the pipe insulation couplingmember;

[0018]FIG. 8 is a front view of the clevis hanger assembly coupled withthe pipe insulation coupling member; and

[0019]FIG. 9 is a side view of the clevis hanger assembly coupled withthe pipe insulation coupling member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0020] Referring to FIG. 1, a pipe support assembly, generally shown at10, is mounted along a support structure 12. The support structure 12 isa generally planar surface, such as a ceiling. The pipe support assembly10 includes a clevis hanger assembly, generally indicated at 14, mountedto the support structure 12 and supporting a pipe insulation couplingmember 16. The pipe insulation coupling member 16 retains an elongatedpipe insulation tubing 18 around an elongated tubular pipe 20, whichtransfers fluids therethrough. More specifically, the pipe insulationcoupling member 16 retains adjacent ends 22, 24 of the pipe insulationtubing 18 against one another to ensure that an entire length of thepipe 20 remains insulated even as the pipe 20 is exposed to wear andtear. The pipe insulation tubing 18, which is commonly formed fromcellular polyurethane foam, is provided in predetermined lengths andincludes a longitudinal open slit 26 therealong that allows the pipeinsulation tubing 18 to be wrapped around the pipe 20. The pipe 20 iscommonly formed from aluminum or copper and is utilized for hydraulicpipes, pneumatic tubes, refrigeration lines, water pipes, and the like,as are typically known in the art. Both the pipe insulation tubing 18and the pipe 20 extend along a longitudinal axis.

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 2 through 4, the clevis hanger assembly 14includes an upper bracket 28 having a base 30 extending between spacedapart downwardly extending flanges 32, 34. The base 30 defines agenerally horizontal center segment 36 having a pair of depending arms38, 40 extending therefrom at an angle. The center segment 36 includes amounting aperture 42 extending therethrough. A bolt 44, shown in FIG. 1,extends through the mounting aperture 42 to secure the clevis hangerassembly 14 to the support structure 12. The depending arms 38, 40 allowfor clearance between the upper bracket 28 and the support structure 12.Each of the spaced apart downwardly extending flanges 32, 34 includes afirst receiving aperture 46, shown in FIG. 2.

[0022] The clevis hanger assembly 14 also includes a lower bracket 50having spaced apart upwardly extending flanges 52, 54 disposed alongsidethe spaced apart downwardly extending flanges 32, 34. Each of the spacedapart upwardly extending flanges 52, 54 includes a second receivingaperture 56. The second receiving apertures 56 are axially aligned withthe first receiving apertures 46 of the spaced apart downwardlyextending flanges 32, 34. As shown in FIG. 3, the spaced apart upwardlyextending flanges 52, 54 are positioned inside of the spaced apartdownwardly extending flanges 32, 34. It is, however, contemplated thatin the alternative the spaced apart downwardly extending flanges 32, 34may be positioned inside of the spaced apart upwardly extending flanges52, 54.

[0023] The lower bracket 50 also includes an arcuate segment 60extending between the spaced apart upwardly extending flanges 52, 54 sothat the lower bracket 50 has a U-shape. The arcuate segment 60 includesan inner surface 61 and outwardly flared ends 62, 64 extending betweenthe arcuate segment 60 and the spaced apart upwardly extending flanges52, 54.

[0024] The lower bracket 50 further includes elongated coupling slots 66for receiving the pipe insulation coupling member 16, as described infurther detail below. The coupling slots 66 are located where thearcuate segment 60 meets each of the spaced apart upwardly extendingflanges 52, 54. In other words, the coupling slots 66 each extend alonga portion of the respective spaced apart upwardly extending flanges 52,54, along the respective outwardly flared ends 62, 64, and along aportion of the arcuate segment 60, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0025] An elongated fastener 70 extends transverse to the longitudinalaxis and through the first 46 and second 56 receiving apertures of therespective spaced apart downwardly 32, 34 and upwardly 52, 54 extendingflanges to secure the upper bracket 28 to the lower bracket 50. Thefastener 70 and the lower bracket 50 define an opening 71, shown in FIG.3, for receiving the pipe insulation coupling member 16. The fastener 70includes a head 72 and a shank 74 extending therefrom. In a preferredembodiment, the shank 74 is threaded. The head 72 is disposed adjacentone of the spaced apart downwardly extending flanges 32, 34 of the upperbracket 28. A nut 76 is threaded onto the fastener 70 at an end oppositethat of the head 72 to fixedly secure upper bracket 28 along thefastener 70. The spaced apart upwardly extending flanges 52, 54 areretained along the fastener 70 between the spaced apart downwardlyextending flanges 32, 34 of the upper bracket 28 such that the lowerbracket 50 is able to slide along the threaded shank 74 relative to theupper bracket 28 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis.

[0026] Referring to FIGS. 5 through 7, the pipe insulation couplingmember 16 for coupling the adjacent ends 22, 24 of the pipe insulationtubing 18 along the pipe 20 includes a longitudinally extendingelongated body, generally indicated at 78, having an arcuate outer tubewall 80 extending between first 82 and second 84 ends. The pipeinsulation coupling member 16 is integrally formed from a plasticmaterial.

[0027] A planar interior wall 86 is disposed within the outer tube wall80 and extends transverse to the elongated body 78. The planar interiorwall 86 includes a center bore 88 for receiving the pipe 20 therewithin,and defines opposing outer channels 90 (only one shown) for receivingthe adjacent ends 22, 24 of the pipe insulation tubing 18.

[0028] The outer tube wall 80 includes a longitudinally extendingperforation 94 therealong. In the preferred embodiment, the perforation94 is generally V-shaped. Opposing separation tabs 96, 98 are disposedalongside the perforation 94. The separation tabs 96, 98 are pulled awayfrom each other to separate the elongated body 78 at the perforation 94into first 100 and second 102 wedge-shaped sections, which are shown indashed lines in FIG. 6. When the first 100 and second 102 wedge-shapedsections are separated, the center bore 88 is able to receive the pipe18 therewithin. The planar interior wall 86 defines a plurality of slits104 therethrough to promote the separation of the elongated body 78 intothe first 100 and second 102 wedge-shaped sections. In the preferredembodiment, the plurality of slits 104 is generally L-shaped.

[0029] The outer tube wall 80 also includes elongated outwardlyprotruding tabs 106 extending out therefrom. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9,the pipe insulation coupling member 16 is housed within the opening 71of the clevis hanger assembly 14. The outwardly protruding tabs 106 ofthe pipe insulation coupling member 16 are shaped to fit within thecoupling slots 66 along the lower bracket 50 of the clevis hangerassembly 14 to retain the pipe insulation coupling member 16 within theopening 71 of the clevis hanger assembly 14. A lower portion 108 of eachof the outwardly protruding tabs 106 has a shape complementary to thatof a lower end 110 of each of the coupling slots 66. As a result, whenthe outwardly protruding tabs 106 are received within the coupling slots66, the lower portion 108 of each of the outwardly protruding tabs 106will rest comfortably along the lower end 108 of each of the couplingslots 66. In addition, when the outwardly protruding tabs 106 arereceived within the coupling slots 66, a portion of the outer tube wall80 abuts the inner surface 61 of the arcuate segment 60 so that the pipeinsulation coupling member 16 is supported by the lower bracket 50 ofthe clevis hanger assembly 14.

[0030] More specifically, the flared ends 62, 64 extending between thespaced apart upwardly extending flanges 52, 54 and the arcuate segment60 reduce the distance between the spaced apart upwardly extendingflanges 52, 54 and thus the diameter of the arcuate segment 60 asnecessary to mate with the arcuate diameter and shape of the outer tubewall 80. Therefore, the flared ends 62, 64 may be tailored to adjust thediameter of the arcuate segment 60 to match the diameter of a variety ofpipe insulation coupling members 16.

[0031] The invention has been described in an illustrative manner. It isto be understood that the terminology, which has been used, is intendedto be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.Many modifications and variations of the invention are possible in lightof the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of the appendedclaims, the invention may be practiced other than as specificallydescribed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A clevis hanger assembly for supporting a pipeinsulation coupling member along a support structure, said clevis hangerassembly comprising: an upper bracket adapted to be secured to thesupport structure and having a base extending between spaced apartdownwardly extending flanges; and a lower bracket having spaced apartupwardly extending flanges disposed alongside said spaced apartdownwardly extending flanges, said lower bracket including an arcuatesegment positioned between said spaced apart upwardly extending flangesand defining coupling slots for receiving and retaining the pipeinsulation coupling member between said spaced apart upwardly extendingflanges.
 2. A clevis hanger assembly as set forth in claim 1 whereinsaid coupling slots are located where said arcuate segment meets each ofsaid spaced apart upwardly extending flanges.
 3. A clevis hangerassembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said arcuate segment includesflared ends.
 4. A clevis hanger assembly as set forth in claim 3 whereinsaid upper bracket includes a mounting aperture extending through saidbase for securing said clevis hanger assembly to the support structure.5. A clevis hanger assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein each of saidspaced apart downwardly extending flanges of said upper bracket includesa first receiving aperture.
 6. A clevis hanger assembly as set forth inclaim 5 wherein each of said spaced apart upwardly extending flanges ofsaid lower bracket includes a second receiving aperture axially alignedwith one of said first receiving apertures of said upper bracket.
 7. Aclevis hanger assembly as set forth in claim 6 including an elongatedfastener extending through said first receiving apertures of said spacedapart downwardly extending flanges and said second receiving aperturesof said spaced apart upwardly extending flanges to secure said upperbracket to said lower bracket.
 8. A clevis hanger assembly as set forthin claim 7 wherein said base of said upper bracket defines a generallyhorizontal center segment and downwardly depending arms extending at anangle from said center segment to each of said spaced apart downwardlyextending flanges.
 9. A clevis hanger assembly as set forth in claim 8wherein said lower bracket and said fastener define an opening forhousing the pipe insulation coupling member.
 10. A clevis hangerassembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein said fastener is threaded. 11.A pipe insulation coupling member for retaining adjacent ends ofelongated pipe insulation tubing around a pipe, said pipe insulationcoupling member comprising: an elongated body extending along alongitudinal axis between a first end and a second end, said elongatedbody including an outer tube wall extending between said first andsecond ends, and a planar interior wall located within said outer tubewall and positioned transverse to said longitudinal axis, said planarinterior wall including a center bore for receiving the pipetherethrough and defining opposing first and second outer channels forreceiving the adjacent ends of the elongated pipe insulation tubing. 12.A pipe insulation coupling member as set forth in claim 11 wherein saidouter tube wall includes outwardly protruding tabs.
 13. A pipeinsulation coupling member as set forth in claim 12 wherein saidelongated body includes first and second wedge-shaped sections.
 14. Apipe insulation coupling member as set forth in claim 13 wherein saidouter tube wall includes a longitudinally extending perforation whereatsaid first wedge-shaped section is separated from said secondwedge-shaped section.
 15. A pipe insulation coupling member as set forthin claim 14 wherein said planar interior wall defines a plurality ofslits therealong to promote separation of said first wedge-shapedsection from said second wedge-shaped section.
 16. A pipe insulationcoupling member as set forth in claim 15 wherein said outer tube wallincludes opposing separation tabs disposed alongside said perforationfor separating said elongated body into said first and secondwedge-shaped sections.
 17. A pipe insulation coupling member as setforth in claim 16 wherein said plurality of slits is generally L-shaped.18. A pipe insulation coupling member as set forth in claim 17 whereinsaid perforation has a generally V-shaped cross-section.
 19. A pipesupport assembly for securing a pipe and adjacent ends of pipeinsulation tubing surrounding the pipe to a support structure, said pipesupport assembly comprising: a clevis hanger assembly adapted to besecured to the support structure including an upper bracket having abase extending between spaced apart downwardly extending flanges and alower bracket including an arcuate segment extending between spacedapart upwardly extending flanges disposed alongside said spaced apartdownwardly extending flanges, said lower bracket including couplingslots formed therealong; and a pipe insulation coupling member forretaining the adjacent ends of the pipe insulation tubing around thepipe disposed inside of said spaced apart downwardly and upwardlyextending flanges and having an elongated body including alongitudinally extending arcuate outer tube wall, said outer tube wallhaving outwardly protruding tabs therealong received within saidcoupling slots to retain and support said pipe insulation couplingmember along said lower bracket of said clevis hanger assembly.
 20. Apipe support assembly as set forth in claim 19 wherein said couplingslots are located where said arcuate segment meets each of said spacedapart upwardly extending flanges.
 21. A pipe support assembly as setforth in claim 20 wherein said upper bracket includes a mountingaperture extending through said base for securing said clevis hangerassembly to the support structure.
 22. A pipe support assembly as setforth in claim 21 wherein each of said spaced apart downwardly extendingflanges of said upper bracket includes a first receiving aperture.
 23. Apipe support assembly as set forth in claim 22 wherein each of saidspaced apart upwardly extending flanges of said lower bracket includes asecond receiving aperture aligned with one of said first receivingapertures.
 24. A pipe support assembly as set forth in claim 23including an elongated fastener extending through said spaced apartdownwardly and upwardly extending flanges to secure said upper bracketto said lower bracket.
 25. A pipe support assembly as set forth in claim24 wherein said pipe coupling member includes a planar interior walllocated within and positioned transverse to said outer tube wall.
 26. Apipe support assembly as set forth in claim 25 wherein said planarinterior wall defines a center bore for receiving the pipe therethrough.27. A pipe support assembly as set forth in claim 26 wherein said planarinterior wall defines opposing first and second outer channels forreceiving the adjacent ends of the pipe insulation tubing.
 28. A pipesupport assembly as set forth in claim 27 wherein said elongated bodyincludes first and second wedge-shaped sections.
 29. A pipe supportassembly as set forth in claim 28 wherein said outer tube wall includesa longitudinal perforation about which said elongated body is separatedinto said first and second wedge-shaped sections.
 30. A pipe supportassembly as set forth in claim 29 wherein said planar interior walldefines a plurality of slits therealong to promote separation of saidfirst wedge-shaped section from said second wedge-shaped section.
 31. Apipe support assembly as set forth in claim 30 wherein said outer tubewall includes opposing separation tabs disposed alongside saidperforation for separating said elongated body into said first andsecond wedge-shaped sections.
 32. A pipe support assembly as set forthin claim 31 wherein said plurality of slits is generally L-shaped.
 33. Apipe support assembly as set forth in claim 32 wherein said fastener isthreaded.